I've RWAP'd several books lately, feel like I'm loosing perspective.  Received this book and peeked under the dust jacket, RWAP or not?

Does this stain bleed through to the inside or the pages?

ETA:  I went back and checked.  The guidelines specifically say that the cover cannot be soiled, and no stains are allowed.  Looks like an RWAP to me.  That being said, do you think it could be sanded off?

It's a hardcover, and no bleed through.  this same marking is on the dustjacket, but I don't have an RC so that's irrelevant.  Difficult to see on the pic, but there are a couple kinda clear spots too, like greasy fingerprints.  Sanding? I've done that on page edges but I'm afraid it would only damage the paper further.  The stain seems to be absorbed into the cover material.

Otherwise the pages are clean and the binding is good.  I'm a bit tired of receiving RWAP's...books I cannot repost for credit

That's a tough one for me, because (in my personal opinion) something like that shouldn't make a book unpostable ....  but it probably is (unpostable, I mean).

Looks like a stain. And, under the "even one drop of water makes a book unpostable" theory .... yup, its RWAP.

I get that there is no way to describe a small amount of damage that "might" be OK, and thus the PBS rules say none .... but I also get why people still feel that your picture there is a perfectly good book, too (albeit, probably unpostable for PBS).

If it was a keeper for me, and if that spot wasn't gross, I wouldn't RWAP it, personally. If that spot is something nasty, on the other hand, or if I was planning on re-posting the book, I would RWAP it.

"If it was a keeper for me, and if that spot wasn't gross, I wouldn't RWAP it..."  My thoughts exactly Sara.  Picked this up for DD with plans to repost it in a couple months.  If it was for my keeper shelf it would probably be a no-brainer b/c the book is otherwise in good condition.

Just to pass on, when books are like that, they are perfect fodder for either FOL sale or resale to a second-hand book store.

Unfortunately within the rules, I'd say it was RWAP.

Is it just me, or does it look like a blood stain?

For me, with something like that I'd probably mark it RWAP and not ask for a credit. Just to get back my place in line for a cleaner copy.

I would RWAP - it is up to you to as to whether or not you ask for your credit back.

The PBS rules are pretty clear on most things. The rules say no stains. This book is stained. It is a problem transaction. Where you can apply your personal leeway is in whether you want to ask for your credit back or not.

There are other outlets for books that don't meet PBS posting standards. There is the Bazaar to offer this book. There is absolutely no reason a member should just post a stained book and send it when the rules clearly state "no stains". It doesn't say only a little, or no big ones, it say "no". Most of the PBS rules are pretty defined and the only time it becomes a problem is when a member doesn't read them or decides that they think the rules are too stiff and the books should be swappable anyway. So many times people talk about a book being close enough like it is a case of being posted on PBS or thrown away. That is not the case, the sender had other options.

IMO, not marking this book as a problem transaction tells this sender it is ok to send books with big clear stains on the book. True they might not have peeked under the dust jacket (that might sway you in asking for the credit back), but the sender missing the problem shouldn't really cost you as the receiver either should it? In that case it might be an eye opener to the sender to look under the dust jackets (I didn't until I saw someone post a book with the corners chewed off by cockroaches that looked perfectly fine with the DJ on). Marking it RWAP is only a recording of what happened. It IS a problem transaction and an accurate recording would be to mark it as such.

Thanks everyone   I've received several unpostables lately, and I really didn't want this to be yet another.  But obviously my wishing won't make the book postable.

I don't plan on keeping this particular book Lisa, so no point in getting a cleaner copy.  But I was hoping it could be re-posted when DD is finished with it, instead of being out another credit.

Lost a credit last week due to a book with very obvious water damage.  The sender was cheerful and nice, said the book is 'readable', and said they would happily refund my credit...but didn't.

Oh well, will bite the bullet and get the book logged in RWAP.

OK, the sender answered promptly...they are happy to refund my credit when I return the book.  I don't see the Help Document for this, I know it's there somewhere.  Anyone remember the heading real quick???

Try here: http://www.paperbackswap.com/help/help_item.php?id=344

Gives it from the sender's viewpoint.  If she wants the book back, she has to give an additional credit to cover postage, along with your credit refund, before you send it (and only if you are willing, obviously).

Awesome Elizabeth, exactly what I was looking for.  Thank you!